Frequently Asked Questions

We feel that the rules are pretty clear, but we’ve had several calls/emails/questions about them. In an effort to minimize some of the “hypothetical situations”, we’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions. The list is sure to grow as the contest gets bigger. The most important thing to remember is that someone from your team will have to take a polygraph if you win, so if you don’t feel right about it, then it’s probably not within the rules, and the polygraph will show that. This is NOT a complete listing of the contest rules. The full contest rules can be found here.

Q: If our team signed up online / by mail / in-person before the contest, do we need to be at Field & Streams on the Saturday of the contest?

A: No. If you received confirmation from us that we have your team’s entry form and entry fee, then your team may begin hunting at 12:00 PM on Saturday. We do not send a confirmation for entries received at Field & Streams. There is no “Reading of the Rules” or anything like that.

Q: My team has already registered, but I need to add/remove team members.

A: If you need to make changes to your team members, they MUST be submitted in writing to info@wtbbc.org. You can use the Contact Us form to submit changes as well. It will send us an email when you submit the form. You must include the current team members names, and the names of those which you will be substituting. All changes must be received before 12:00 PM on the Saturday of the contest.

Q: Do I need a trappers license to hunt in this contest?

A: No. The State of Texas only requires a trappers license to SELL fur-bearing animals. You can view all state laws pertaining to fur-bearing animals here.

Q: Is it considered splitting up if two of our team members hunt on one end of a ranch, and the other two hunt the other end?

A: Yes. That is the definition of splitting up. All team members MUST hunt together. A good rule of thumb is if you are hunting off of the same caller, it is not splitting up. For instance, while hunting during the day, you set the caller out on the ground, and your team spreads out to hunt animals coming to that call — This would be within the rules.

Q: One/two of our team members will not be able to meet up with us until later. Can we go ahead and start hunting without them?

A: There is nothing wrong with this as long as that team member is not hunting someplace else. This should not be used to get around the splitting up rule.

Q: The landowner of the ranch we’re hunting on wants to ride around with us to help navigate the ranch. He is not a member of our team. Is this against the rules?

A: We have allowed this in the past. It may soon be disallowed if people try to use it as a loophole. Just remember, if that person is not part of your official “team”, then they are simply a spectator, and cannot pick up a gun, run a call for you, shine a light, pick up your animals, drive the vehicle, drop you off at stands, or aid your team in any way other than navigating their land. We do allow you to have a non-team member drive you in to weigh-in. We don’t want anyone falling asleep at the wheel.

Q: If our team kills 2 cats and 10 grey fox or coyotes, can we enter both cats for the Big Bobcat Grand Prize?

A: No. Each team may only enter one bobcat for the Big Bobcat Grand Prize. You could still be eligible for the jackpots.

Q: My son/daughter wants to hunt with my team. He/she is under 18. Is this okay? What about the polygraph test?

A: There is no age limit to register at this time. If the child is registered as a team member, they will be expected to take the polygraph if drawn. Since he/she is not being accused of a crime, there is no need for parental consent to administer the polygraph.

Q: My son/daughter wants to ride along with my team. He/she will not be registered as one of my team members. Is this allowed?

A: We have allowed this in the past. We have kids ourselves, and we know how hard it is to leave them behind when they know you are going calling without them. The future of hunting depends on us passing along the knowledge to our kids. We don’t have a problem with your kids riding around with your team as you hunt. However, they cannot assist your team in any way that gives you an advantage over another team. This includes running out to look for/pick up animals for you. Follow the same guidelines as the “Landowner Question” above.

Q: If there is a dead animal in the area where we hunt, and we know that this dead animal is there, can we hunt the area even though we didn’t place the animal there?

A: You are not violating the “No hunting in baited area” rule as long as you or your teammates did not directly or indirectly place, deposit, distribute, or scatter a carcass or any other type of ingested bait with the intention of luring target animals of this contest.
We understand that livestock die naturally as a result of normal ranching activities, but once they are moved or placed to aid in the taking of targeted animals of this contest, it becomes baiting. Having someone else place the bait for you is not a loophole. That would be indirect baiting.

Q: What does “no hunting in baited areas mean”?

A: “Baiting” means the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of food that could serve as a lure or attraction for targeted animals of this contest to any area where hunters are attempting to take them.
A “baited area” is defined as the area in which the activity of the wildlife is influenced. We are intentionally leaving this open. The most important thing to remember is that someone from your team will have to take a polygraph if you win, so if you don’t feel right about it, then it’s probably not within the rules, and the polygraph will show that. Please use your best judgement.